The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations presented its Report #3 on Resolution A018 (Encourage Interfaith Engagement) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A018)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention affirms the work being done on behalf of interfaith engagement by The Episcopal Church at all levels in the life of the Church, and encourages a sustained commitment to the furthering of such work. Recognizing the increasingly pluralistic nature of our world, we particularly cite the deepening of the Christian Jewish and Christian Muslim engagement as well as the broadening engagement with other religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and others.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the 78th General Convention urge dioceses and provinces to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Statement on Interreligious Relations (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/document/general-convention-2009-statement-interreligious-relations) and enact programs and ministries that implement its principles using a variety of resources, starting with Towards our Mutual Flourishing (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/documents/tomf_booklet_5.5_x_8.5_v10.pdf) and such other resources as dioceses and provinces may find useful; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention encourage dioceses and provinces to include an interreligious component in their Christian formation programs for the laity such as Christian education for children, youth and adults, curricula in Episcopal schools, confirmation curricula, Lenten study programs, and forums for their wider communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention urge that for clergy development, dioceses and provinces include interreligious competency in continuing education programs, Commissions on Ministry’s formation requirements, clergy days and retreats, and other clergy gatherings; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention strongly encourage Diocesan Bishops to appoint and Diocesan Conventions to authorize the financial support of a Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer (EDEIO) who will be responsible for insuring engagement with the Statement on Interreligious Relations and the development of programs to increase interreligious literacy and engagement.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #33)